Being responsible

During the Health lesson today, students thought, wrote, and drew about things for which they are responsible.  I noticed entries such as, "my room," "walking the dog," "doing my homework," and "walking my sister home."  I did have one child who came up and said, "I can't think of anything!" However, once I reminded this child that I have jobs in my classroom and that they have a job, they were able to finish filling out their responsibilities sheet.  Most students enjoyed sharing their pages with me and telling me how they do their jobs.

This morning students read for 15 minutes straight without breaks, without getting up, and concentrating on their books the whole time. We're only five minutes away from our goal of 20 minutes!  However, practicing Work on Writing as part of Daily 5 was more difficult today.  Students wanted to talk more than write quietly in their own space in the room, so practice was cut short so that they weren't practicing bad habits.  We also reviewed criteria to pick their own books from a lesson that Mrs. Galt, our school's literacy coach, taught last week.

Criteria for picking "just right" books from Daily Five program

I am amazed at the beautiful cursive that comes out of our daily cursive practice.  After many students struggled to learn how to write an "l" in cursive last week, each succeeding letter that builds on an "l" (such as "h" "b" "k" and "f") has gotten better and better.  As difficult as "f's" are, I saw the most beautiful "f's" today, perhaps even the best cursive letter so far with many students.

We are continuing to work on talking at the appropriate times, and not talking with others are talking, especially when it's me and I'm giving them directions or teaching them.  They are becoming more and more responsible for their actions every day.